Panthera pardus
The leopard is an endangered cat in Asia and Africa. Its one of the big cats found in Kenya, strongest climber of them all and capable of pounding on and preying on other big animals.<BR>
Leopards have a wide variety of colors which range from a light brown to dark shades found in deep forests. East African leopards have round black spots while southern African leopards have squared rosettes.
Leopards can be easily spotted in Kenyan Parks ,forests and grassland. Males are 1.5 -2.6 feet tall 3 -6 feet long,82-150 pounds in weight-females are slightly smaller in size and weight.
They have well built shoulders and claws for grasping and dragging their prey mostly on tree-tops where they feed in safety from other predators.
Leopards rest on trees and bushes during the day and are very active at night. They prey on antelopes, gazelles ,monkeys, rodents, hare and livestock if there is existence of human settlements near them.
Leopards prefer living on their own though they usually hunt together sometimes. They are swift and can leap to pound on their prey sometimes even larger than their size.
After a 90 - 105 day gestation period, the female gives birth to one - four cubs with Smokey grey coats with undeveloped spots. They are about one pound in weight and are protected by the mother for about two months until they are large enough to accompany her. She suckles them and brings them meat until they are three months old and are under her care until they are two years when they are on their own.
Human activities in their habitat and poaching are threatening the population of the Leopards at an alarming rate. Trade in Leopard products is illegal in Kenya since its one of the endangered species.
Sullivan Pau
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